jv16 PowerTools 2010 Beta4 released!

leonardo

redseujac wrote
Leonardo wroteRunning XP-Prof SP3 I do get with Beta1, Beta3 and Beta4 (never got beta2!)

1. Scan progress indicator, amount of key's and values analyzed,

2. Scan reports after the Scan finished,

3. Not any more the Scan Progress Messages, in the message window at the bottom of the Scan window, as jv16PT2009_606 and previous releases did.

Did you notice I am running the program on Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, while your OS = Windows XP?

Maybe that makes the difference? I'm curious to read comments of users with the same OS of mine...

Yes I did notice, but I try to rerun with XP/SP3 several tests (those I understand) done by others with 64 bit OS'es (eg. Tullik).

Many times I get the similar test results but not always, like in this case.

tullik

The Unit Test Tool has failed with a "List index out of bounds" exception in about 6 of 7 tries. On both x64 Windows 7 and x86 Vista.

The attachment is debug logs and a tool log for more of the incidents.

*More Unit test index OOB.zip

tullik

hukka wrote
tullik wrote
10. The Filter Panel can sometimes pop up outside of the list control. |...| 686 x64 w7 || (???)

It seems this can still happen in Beta 4 . . .

I fixed this, just missing the Beta4 release.

I won't reply individually to all of the reported issues here, and I seem to be having intermittent connection problems with accessing the forum, but I will update the Bug Tracking post as I go through the list and testing.

Thanks to all for reporting issues, please keep them coming as you find more!

The big Change and Testing logs here states:

Prior issues confirmed as still present in Beta 4: 37

Here are about half the 37, extracted from the big logs, with added annotations. The rest will be in one or more later posts due to a board limit on the number of URLs.

The colored ones are probably confirmable on 32-bit windows.

1. License tool: nothing happens when you click “Install a new license.” _.._ 641 x64 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this has been around since a “TestVer” – it works with x86 Vista. Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22549#p22549

17. Registry tools such as the Registry Finder can show duplicate data under 64 bit Windows. _.._ 642 (???) x64 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this has been around since the “Pre-beta” – it doesn't happen with x86 Vista.

33. When you save a named preference, it saves OK. However, the name shown in the box immediately changes to “Saved preferences ...” – IMO, the just saved name should show instead. _.._ 642 x64 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this has been around since the “Pre-beta” – it works correctly with x86 Vista. Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22558#p22558

12. Startup Manager: create new to HKCU RunOnce works, but the task never shows in the list. _.._ 644 x64 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 1 – the bug also exist with x86 Vista.

14. Backup tool: when restoring multiple backups at the same time, if some have the same description, some of those do not restore (per the messages). _.._ 644 x64 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 1 – I believe the bug is also on x86 Vista. Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22576#p22576

22. File Tool: dragging files from an explorer window does not work. You get the “slashed circle” forbidden symbol. UAC is off. _.._ 644 x64 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 1 – it works smoothly with x86 Vista, but there's an x64 workaround.. Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22550#p22550

29. File Tools (various): Size and Dates, when preferred columns, often do not fill in until you deselect Size. Then you have to reselect Size to make it show. _.._ 644 x64 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 1 – I don't know if the bug is also on x86 Vista.

45. File Recovery Tool: results window shows no action buttons and the Top Panel and status bar are blank. _.._ 644 x64 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 1 – the buttons show on x86 Vista, but the tool can crash all of PowerTools there.

46. File Recovery Tool: when you select a file, use the right click “Undelete” option, and choose a target directory, nothing happens. _.._ 644 x64 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 1 – I don't know if behaves the same on x86 Vista. The tool has too many other issues to tell.

68. Backup Tool, Custom Restore: when switching between the Files and Registry tabs, the column widths are forgotten. _.._ 660 x86 Vista |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 2 – this bug is the same on x86 and x64 systems.

70. Live support tool: the Abort button stays red (the other two buttons turn green). _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7 (???)

More info: this is from Beta 3 – this bug is the same on x86 and x64 systems. Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22551#p22551

72. Settings tool says all fonts are hidden, but they are not. _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 3 – this is an x64 and/or Windows 7 issue. I think probably MS changed some API rules for Windows 7. References: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22397#p22397 and http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22388#p22388

76. File Tool-->Files-->Add files … does nothing except cause a pop-up to flash up and away too quickly to see what it says. _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 3 – jouni says it's a bug in x64 Vista and x64 Windows 7. Amazingly, it only affects newer Macecraft programs. Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22537#p22537

77. File Tool-->More functions-->Move to Recycle bin gets a “Failed to access” message every time. _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 3 – it is another one that only fails on an x64 windows system.

78. File Tool-->More functions-->Execute does nothing. _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 3 – it doesn't seem to work right on x86 or x64.

tullik

Here are more of the 37.

83. Directory tool: More functions-->Explore doesn't open to the selected directory. It opens to the partition, e.g., to C:\. _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7 (???)

More info: this is from Beta 3 – another one like #76. Now, in Beta 4, it does nothing at all, so the fix changed the behavior, but not in a good way. Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22556#p22556

84. Registry Find & Replace: every found item is in the list twice. _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 3 – another x64 only issue.

85. Registry Monitor: HKCC compare results are not correct. _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 3 – I think a compare in the program logic says “go up” when the correct action is “go down.” I haven't tried it yet on an x86 system. Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22414#p22414

90. Clean & fix my computer: is not honoring the “Never show” again list. _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 3 – I haven't tried it yet on an x86 system.

91. File Recovery: can get an access violation. If the scan is aborted, the violation can occur several minutes later. _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 3 – behavior changed with fixes in Beta 4, but the tool is still unstable on both x86 and x64 systems.

92. Desktop shortcuts: History Cleaner (for example) does not use the remembered column widths when started this way. _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 3 – I'm pretty sure this bug would affect use on x86 and x64 the same way.

106. File Finder: can get an access violation, or hang, if lines are selected, Close is clicked, and the tool is just started again. _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 3 – I don't know if this is an x64 only issue. Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22575#p22575

108. Custom Restore: has “Open in RegEdit” in the context menu for a file. _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 3 – just menu fine tuning regardless of the windows system type,

109. Custom Restore: “Explore original path” always opens at the user's personal folder, not at the original path. _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7

More info: this is from Beta 3 – it's similar to #83 above.

110. Clean & fix my computer: gets “Invalid pointer operation” when final analysis scan is aborted. _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7

I haven't tried it yet on an x86 system.

119. Registry Cleaner: Tools-->Compare results... aborts itself every time (message=: Operation aborted.). _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7

It does not have this problem on an x86 system. It's likely a variation of #76.

5. All the program's main features can be now accessed with a command line parameter _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7 (??)

Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22543#p22543

3. Live support tool: the Abort button stays red (the other two buttons do turn to green after click). |...| 686 x64 w7 _.._ (???)

X86 and x64 both have this bug. Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22551#p22551

10. Filter Panel can sometimes pop up outside of the list control. Hukka already fixed this bug for the next beta release. |...| 686 x64 w7 _.._ (???)

Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22569#p22569

11. File Tool's Move to Recycle bin feature results in a "Failed to access" error message every time |...| 686 x64 w7 _.._ (???)

Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22552#p22552

18. The new tool tips are not in use in the list components, except for the columns. |...| 686 x64 w7 _.._ (???)

Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22567#p22567

tullik

And here are the final four.

61. Trying to use any random file as a license file via Help > License Tool > Install license makes the program to show an error message about the license file being for an earlier version of PowerTools even as the file is not a valid license file at all. _.._ 686 x64 w7 (??) |...| N/A

Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22549#p22549

39. Aborting a registry snapshot creation (with the Registry Monitor tool) can crash the program. Also, the operation can continue to run in the background. |...| 686 x64 w7 (??)

Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=4025&p=22548&hilit=Search%E2%80%A6Registry+Monitor+Compare#p22548

40. Aborting Registry Monitor's Compare feature incorrectly shows the "Operation completed, following changes were detected..." message and the actual operation can continue to run in the background. |...| 686 x64 w7 (??)

Reference: same as #39.

49. Using the mouse wheel or the scroll area of a laptop, it is possible to make the Main Window get stuck in a very long scrolling loop where the category selector on left keeps moving rapidly. Hukka already confirmed this bug on 32-bit windows. |...| 686 x64 w7 (???)

Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22531#p22531

tullik

72. Settings tool says all fonts are hidden, but they are not. _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7

Here is more information about this x64 issue:

1. With a self-contained installation (*), use the "Program maintenance tool" to reset the settings to the defaults.

2. The next time you start PowerTools, the font change dialogue will work.

3. It will continue to work whenever tried throughout that session.

4. However, when you exit that session, the compatibility issue is usually back with the next session, although sometimes it doesn't come back for another session or two.

5. PT2009 also has this compatibility issue.

6. Amazingly, PT2005, PT2006, PT2007, and PT2008 do not have this compatibility issue.

7. This scenario (steps 1 through 4) is repeatable.

(*) That means ...\Settings\Directories.dat looks like this:


Backups=\Backups\
Cache=\Cache\
Tasks=\Tasks\
Snapshot=\Snapshots\

Settings=\Settings\

Added note: I just ran PT2009 and PT2010 Beta 2 on an x86 Windows 7 notebook. There were no problems invoking the font change dialogue. So this is an x64 Windows 7 compatibility issue at least. I wonder if x64 Vista has the issue?

tullik

37. Registry tools including the Registry Cleaner could show a valid registry key in red color coding in the Top Panel. I haven't seen this in Beta 1. However, those tools can show an invalid registry key in green color coding in the Top Panel. _.._ 642 |...| 686 x64 w7

The last half of this description has occurred in Beta 4. Namely:

Registry Cleaner shows HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MicroSoft\Direct3D\MostRecentApplication || Name || msnmsgr.exe in green.

However, that key || name || value does not exist.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Direct3D\MostRecentApplication || Name || msnmsgr.exe does exist, and that is what is backed up when the MRU item is deleted.

There is a small harmless (in this instance) bug in the backup. The name + value part of the backup occurs twice.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00



; File created by TBackupTool
; Component version: 1.4.2
; Component used by: jv16 PowerTools 2010
; Program version: 2.0.0.686
; File Description: jv16 PowerTools 2010 - Registry Cleaner
; Date: 20.01.2010
; Time: 23



"Name"="msnmsgr.exe"

"Name"="msnmsgr.exe"

tullik

135. Main window: access violation bringing it up from the task bar. I had just previously aborted a Directory Tool move to recycle bin operation. {.} 686 x64 w7

*Main window violation.zip

tullik

136. Registry Manager: access violation while just browsing through the tabs. {.} 686 x64 w7

*Registry Mgr violation.zip

tullik

137. File Cleaner: when started with the shortcut created from the Tools menu, the results window flashed up and away. The tool did nothing. {.} 686 x64 w7

jv16

tullik wrote

Why does this alleged Microsoft bug affect newer Macecraft products, but not older ones?

I have no idea, to be honest with you.

The problem boils down to this: we use the same code in the older programs as well (it's actually code by components that ship with Delphi, the development environment we use). And all the code does is it calls a Windows API which simply means it asks Windows to show the user the file or directory browsing dialog window. And the problem is, that the function fails, as in the user never sees the dialog, and the function returns a code for "cancel", as in the user cancelled the dialog by clicking the Cancel button.

So, this is what the situation is and so far we haven't been able to find a fix. Because we only use a Windows API call, and the same code works on some computers and because I have heard from other developers about the exact same issue I'm suspecting that it's a bug in Windows. However, it doesn't matter nor help us a bit to know where the problem is, the only thing that matters is how to get around the problem. And that's what we are working on.

jv16

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[deleted]

tullik wrote

Prior issues confirmed as still present in Beta 4: 37

Here are about half the 37, extracted from the big logs, with added annotations. The rest will be in one or more later posts due to a board limit on the number of URLs.

Thank you.

I'll address a few issues you've mentioned here. I'm currently having trouble accessing our x64 testing machines so I can only test on 32-bit Windows 7 at the moment.

1. License tool: nothing happens when you click “Install a new license.”

This, as some other issues mentioned on this thread, are due to the "file dialogs not working on x64" bug, so once that is fixed or worked around, the other issues should be gone too.

12. Startup Manager: create new to HKCU RunOnce works, but the task never shows in the list.

Confirmed on 32-bit Windows 7.

22. File Tool: dragging files from an explorer window does not work. You get the “slashed circle” forbidden symbol. UAC is off.

Confirmed yesterday on x64. Odd, because I've fixed this issue once already.

68. Backup Tool, Custom Restore: when switching between the Files and Registry tabs, the column widths are forgotten.

Confirmed.

72. Settings tool says all fonts are hidden, but they are not. More info: this is from Beta 3 – this is an x64 and/or Windows 7 issue.

Probably an x64 issue - works fine on my netbook with 32-bit W7.

78. File Tool-->More functions-->Execute does nothing. More info: this is from Beta 3 – it doesn't seem to work right on x86 or x64.

Works on x86 here.

tullik

jv16 wrote
tullik wrote

Why does this alleged Microsoft bug affect newer Macecraft products, but not older ones?

I have no idea, to be honest with you.

The problem boils down to this: we use the same code in the older programs as well (it's actually code by components that ship with Delphi, the development environment we use). And all the code does is it calls a Windows API which simply means it asks Windows to show the user the file or directory browsing dialog window. And the problem is, that the function fails, as in the user never sees the dialog, and the function returns a code for "cancel", as in the user cancelled the dialog by clicking the Cancel button.

So, this is what the situation is and so far we haven't been able to find a fix. Because we only use a Windows API call, and the same code works on some computers and because I have heard from other developers about the exact same issue I'm suspecting that it's a bug in Windows. However, it doesn't matter nor help us a bit to know where the problem is, the only thing that matters is how to get around the problem. And that's what we are working on.

Given this explanation, I'd say Delphi jumps ahead of Macecraft and Microsoft on the x64 compatibility suspects list.

If you had the source code laying around for one of the older products, that might lock it down.

tullik

@ Hukka

Prior issues confirmed as still present in Beta 4: 48

Here are twelve additional confirmations. Eleven are new and one I apparently did not include in my earlier list(s) of 37 items.

Most probably affect x64 and x86 systems.

55. Sometimes when opening a tool it opens but shows an Access Violation error message. This can also happen when closing a tool. |...| 686 x64 w7 (??)

Prior=Beta 3

65. It's possible to create a new automated task that doesn't do anything. |...| 686 x64 w7 (??)

Prior=Beta 3. Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22572#p22572

27. File Encrypter: it seems the feature doesn't show an Abort button or any sort of progress indicator. I was encrypting over 1300 file from the File Tool. _.._ 644 x64 |...| 686 x64 w7

Prior=Beta 2

32. Delete of a selected item in the Registry Manager "Open with" tab dropped the item from the list but backed up and deleted nothing. _.._ 632 |...| 686 x64 w7

Prior=before the Pre-Beta

34. When you delete an HKCU item and its HKUS “mirror” with Custom Fix, one of the items stays in the results list. _.._ 640 |...| 678 x64 w7

Prior=before the Pre-Beta

36. When using the Explore feature, the opening Explorer window could stay behind other windows (second try to fix this) It seems to not work when the CTRL+point+click is at the filename part of the path, but does work at the folder part. _.._ 641 (??) |...| 686 x64 w7

Prior=before the Pre-Beta

Prior=the Pre-Beta. May be an x64 only issue. Reference: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22590#p22590

41. Main window statistics says “... fixed 695 registry errors and deleted 51 temp files, 5 files deleted in total.” which is contradictory. It should say, for example, “... fixed 695 registry errors, deleted 51 temp files, and deleted 5 other files.” _.._ 642 x64 |...| 686 x64 w7

Prior=the Pre-Beta

47. Clean and fix my computer: List control-->Remove from list for the MRU and history data group causes a PowerTools hang every time. I'll post a debug log separately. _.._ 644 x64 |...| 686 x64 w7

Prior=Beta 1

49. Clean and fix my computer: MRU in the Ignore words tab does NOT prevent the MRU and history data group from appearing in the results. _.._ 644 x64 |...| 686 x64 w7

Prior=Beta 1

50. Automation Tool: when running tasks from the list, the “Last run” date is not updated in the list until you close and reload the list. _.._ 644 x64 |...| 686 x64 w7

Prior=Beta 1

74. Registry Cleaner: some empty keys which do not exist in the registry are shown in green in the GUI, but the correct key exists under a Wow6432Node. _.._ 678 x64 w7 |...| 686 x64 w7

Prior=Beta 2 or 3. An x64 only issue.

roberta

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siliconman01

..it would be rather premature to issue a RC1 next (after the current Beta 4)....

If u are serious about not repeating the unfortunate mistakes of the recent past, then Please lets have patience & Please release at least 1 or more additional Betas.

Yes, I agree. RC status is a bit premature considering we do not even have Registry Compact for Windows 7 yet and such things as the Age/Comment component has not been tested....plus all the current fix items needed. More Beta testing needed before RC status.

tullik

tullik wrote
jv16 wrote
tullik wrote

Why does this alleged Microsoft bug affect newer Macecraft products, but not older ones?

I have no idea, to be honest with you.

The problem boils down to this: we use the same code in the older programs as well (it's actually code by components that ship with Delphi, the development environment we use). And all the code does is it calls a Windows API which simply means it asks Windows to show the user the file or directory browsing dialog window. And the problem is, that the function fails, as in the user never sees the dialog, and the function returns a code for "cancel", as in the user cancelled the dialog by clicking the Cancel button.

So, this is what the situation is and so far we haven't been able to find a fix. Because we only use a Windows API call, and the same code works on some computers and because I have heard from other developers about the exact same issue I'm suspecting that it's a bug in Windows. However, it doesn't matter nor help us a bit to know where the problem is, the only thing that matters is how to get around the problem. And that's what we are working on.

Given this explanation, I'd say Delphi jumps ahead of Macecraft and Microsoft on the x64 compatibility suspects list.

If you had the source code laying around for one of the older products, that might lock it down.

It's probably not that simple since so much has changed (Windows 7, Delphi development environments, x64, ...). Anyway, something PowerTools 2010 does may be triggering the font dialogue compatibility issue, as well as some others! Why do I say that?

Consider the implications of this post: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22602#p22602

tullik

Font dialog incompatibility

The incompatibility goes away temporarily, if you do this procedure: http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=22589#p22589

tullik

138. PowerTools: runtime error when launching the program. {.} 686 x64 w7

*01-22-2010_03-28-53.jpg

The debug log doesn't show much AFAIK. Here it is anyway.

*Run time error.zip

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